Press Release

Members of the GOP Doctors Caucus today expressed strong support of H.R. 1173: the Fiscal Responsibility and Retirement Security Act of 2011--a bill to repeal Obamacare's failed CLASS Act program. This broken component of the healthcare law was included to create the illusion of tens of billions in savings that simply do not exist. Repeal of this unsustainable program is essential so that it is not put back on the table at a future date.

Rep. Charles W. Boustany, Jr., M.D. (LA-07): "CLASS serves as the perfect example of a government-run program destined to fail. Washington Democrats ignored warnings from experts when they used the program as a budget gimmick in Obamacare. The CLASS Repeal Act marks another victory for the American people against Obamacare. Flawed from inception, I am proud to see the House vote to strike down this Ponzi scheme. I urge leaders in the Senate to take this bill up immediately and pass it."

"CLASS serves as the perfect example of a government-run program destined to fail. Washington Democrats ignored warnings from experts when they used the program as a budget gimmick in Obamacare. The CLASS Repeal Act marks another victory for the American people against Obamacare. Flawed from inception, I am proud to see the House vote to strike down this Ponzi scheme. I urge leaders in the Senate to take this bill up immediately and pass it."

Rep. Phil Gingrey, M.D., Co-Chair (GA-11): "During this fiscal crisis, financing another broken entitlement program is something that no one in Washington should support. Sneaky accounting tactics can no longer hide the insolvency of the CLASS Act--and the American people should not be on the hook when the program inevitably requires a taxpayer bailout to stay afloat. It's time for this administration to stop wasting time defending the numerous flaws in the CLASS Act and instead put that focus towards saving the Medicare program for the millions of seniors who depend on it each day."

"During this fiscal crisis, financing another broken entitlement program is something that no one in Washington should support. Sneaky accounting tactics can no longer hide the insolvency of the CLASS Act--and the American people should not be on the hook when the program inevitably requires a taxpayer bailout to stay afloat. It's time for this administration to stop wasting time defending the numerous flaws in the CLASS Act and instead put that focus towards saving the Medicare program for the millions of seniors who depend on it each day."

Rep. Tim Murphy, M.D., Co-Chair (PA-18): "CLASS is nothing more than a government-run healthcare plan that saddles taxpayers and the federal budget with billions in debt. It was an empty promise from the President to our seniors and the disabled, and another example of why we need to fully repeal Obamacare. Passage of the repeal bill moves us one step closer to dismissing CLASS once and for all and saving the taxpayers billions of dollars."

"CLASS is nothing more than a government-run healthcare plan that saddles taxpayers and the federal budget with billions in debt. It was an empty promise from the President to our seniors and the disabled, and another example of why we need to fully repeal Obamacare. Passage of the repeal bill moves us one step closer to dismissing CLASS once and for all and saving the taxpayers billions of dollars."

Rep. Paul Broun, M.D. (GA-10): "Every day, more and more taxpayers are deciding that they want a refund on Obamacare," said Rep. Paul Broun, M.D. (GA-10). "Between the repeal of the 1099 provision, the upcoming Supreme Court case on the individual mandate, and the Administration admitting that they cannot implement the CLASS provision -- we are truly starting to see the wheels fall off of the President Obama's pride and joy. It's time that we put a full stop to the implementation of Obamacare by repealing it in its entirety and replacing it with a market-based solution that Americans can actually afford."

"Every day, more and more taxpayers are deciding that they want a refund on Obamacare," said Rep. Paul Broun, M.D. (GA-10). "Between the repeal of the 1099 provision, the upcoming Supreme Court case on the individual mandate, and the Administration admitting that they cannot implement the CLASS provision -- we are truly starting to see the wheels fall off of the President Obama's pride and joy. It's time that we put a full stop to the implementation of Obamacare by repealing it in its entirety and replacing it with a market-based solution that Americans can actually afford."

Rep. Larry Bucshon, M.D. (IN-08): "It is important to formally repeal the CLASS Act and I am pleased to support this common sense legislation. This unsustainable program would have increased federal expenditures and debt and was deemed to be financially insolvent.&#12288; Repealing the CLASS Act is important to ensure it is not implemented at a future time which would have added to the massive debts we currently face. I will continue to work to repeal Obamacare in its entirety and replace it with common sense, private sector solutions that improve the quality of care while at the same time reducing costs for patients."

"It is important to formally repeal the CLASS Act and I am pleased to support this common sense legislation. This unsustainable program would have increased federal expenditures and debt and was deemed to be financially insolvent. Repealing the CLASS Act is important to ensure it is not implemented at a future time which would have added to the massive debts we currently face. I will continue to work to repeal Obamacare in its entirety and replace it with common sense, private sector solutions that improve the quality of care while at the same time reducing costs for patients."

Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle, R.N. (NY-25): "The CLASS Act must be repealed. The program is unsustainable and its repeal has bipartisan support. While America should be having a serious conversation about sustainable long-term care programs, this Administration chose to use the issue of long-term care as a budget ploy to inflate the amount of money that would be available to pay for the total cost of the Health Care law. Our country needs real health care reform, not gimmicks that will drive us even deeper into debt."

"The CLASS Act must be repealed. The program is unsustainable and its repeal has bipartisan support. While America should be having a serious conversation about sustainable long-term care programs, this Administration chose to use the issue of long-term care as a budget ploy to inflate the amount of money that would be available to pay for the total cost of the Health Care law. Our country needs real health care reform, not gimmicks that will drive us even deeper into debt."

Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26): "The CLASS Act was a budgetary deception included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as an attempt to mask the actual cost of the law," said Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26), Vice Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health. "From the beginning we knew this program was structured in a way that would not allow the program to be properly paid for and would only add even more to the deficit. Complaints about the insolvency of the program have come from both sides of the aisle as well as from the administration's own Chief Actuary. Instead of focusing on reducing the costs of long term care insurance for Americans, the president's health care law exploits tax payer confidence through creating another program that is poorly structured and will cost taxpayers even more money."

"The CLASS Act was a budgetary deception included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as an attempt to mask the actual cost of the law," said Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26), Vice Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health. "From the beginning we knew this program was structured in a way that would not allow the program to be properly paid for and would only add even more to the deficit. Complaints about the insolvency of the program have come from both sides of the aisle as well as from the administration's own Chief Actuary. Instead of focusing on reducing the costs of long term care insurance for Americans, the president's health care law exploits tax payer confidence through creating another program that is poorly structured and will cost taxpayers even more money."

Rep. Bill Cassidy, M.D. (LA-06): "Today, the House of Representatives repealed the CLASS Act and took a step towards real health care reform. Although the CLASS Act attempted to address a real need, which is to give access to long-term care coverage, its structure was so flawed that it could not deliver on its stated goal. In reality, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office said it would have eventually added tens of billions of dollars to our national deficit - making the CLASS program unsustainable.With CLASS now repealed, it's time to focus on real health care reforms that will truly address long-term care issues, reduce costs and improve care."

"Today, the House of Representatives repealed the CLASS Act and took a step towards real health care reform. Although the CLASS Act attempted to address a real need, which is to give access to long-term care coverage, its structure was so flawed that it could not deliver on its stated goal. In reality, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office said it would have eventually added tens of billions of dollars to our national deficit - making the CLASS program unsustainable.With CLASS now repealed, it's time to focus on real health care reforms that will truly address long-term care issues, reduce costs and improve care."

Rep. Paul Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-01): "At a time where individuals and businesses are focused on regaining their financial freedom, we do not need to make investments in programs that are destined to fail. This Administration's support of this flawed program, although they admit it is likely to be yet another insolvent program within just a few years, further shows the disconnect that they have with Main Street America. As a small business owner and healthcare provider I am proud to support this bill to repeal the CLASS program."

"At a time where individuals and businesses are focused on regaining their financial freedom, we do not need to make investments in programs that are destined to fail. This Administration's support of this flawed program, although they admit it is likely to be yet another insolvent program within just a few years, further shows the disconnect that they have with Main Street America. As a small business owner and healthcare provider I am proud to support this bill to repeal the CLASS program."

Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01): "I fully support the repeal of the insolvent CLASS Program, a new entitlement created by Obamacare that if implemented would require a massive government bailout by future generations of taxpayers. This provision is just one part of the flawed Obamacare law that according to the CBO could destroy up to 800,000 jobs."

"I fully support the repeal of the insolvent CLASS Program, a new entitlement created by Obamacare that if implemented would require a massive government bailout by future generations of taxpayers. This provision is just one part of the flawed Obamacare law that according to the CBO could destroy up to 800,000 jobs."

House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Tom Price, M.D. (R-GA): "The president's health care law was built with smoke and mirrors in order to hide its true cost from the American people. The CLASS Act is just one prime example of the budget gimmicks Democrats employed to force their bill through Congress. Congress should repeal the CLASS Act outright and take the law off the books and out of the hands of this administration. However, much remains to be done to protect American families from the destructive nature of the president's health care law. Republicans have not wavered in our fight to repeal the law in its entirety so that it can be replaced with positive, patient-centered solutions that expand access to quality, affordable health care -- solutions that address challenges in our health care system without doing damage to the doctor-patient relationship or the economy."

"The president's health care law was built with smoke and mirrors in order to hide its true cost from the American people. The CLASS Act is just one prime example of the budget gimmicks Democrats employed to force their bill through Congress. Congress should repeal the CLASS Act outright and take the law off the books and out of the hands of this administration. However, much remains to be done to protect American families from the destructive nature of the president's health care law. Republicans have not wavered in our fight to repeal the law in its entirety so that it can be replaced with positive, patient-centered solutions that expand access to quality, affordable health care -- solutions that address challenges in our health care system without doing damage to the doctor-patient relationship or the economy."

Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (TN-01): "The CLASS Act is another example of the budget trickery the President and his allies used to pass their health care bill. They claimed the law would save taxpayers money and make health care more affordable, but the opposite is true. The health care law fails to address the cost crisis within the current health care system, and in fact, dramatically increases costs for all involved. It became clear soon after passing the Affordable Care Act that the CLASS Act was completely unworkable because the core program is simply too expensive. As a cosponsor of H.R. 1173, legislation to repeal the CLASS Act, the decision to table the program is the right alternative because we have to start being honest with hardworking taxpayers that our country simply cannot afford the costs for this program moving forward."

"The CLASS Act is another example of the budget trickery the President and his allies used to pass their health care bill. They claimed the law would save taxpayers money and make health care more affordable, but the opposite is true. The health care law fails to address the cost crisis within the current health care system, and in fact, dramatically increases costs for all involved.&#12288; It became clear soon after passing the Affordable Care Act that the CLASS Act was completely unworkable because the core program is simply too expensive. As a cosponsor of H.R. 1173, legislation to repeal the CLASS Act, the decision to table the program is the right alternative because we have to start being honest with hardworking taxpayers that our country simply cannot afford the costs for this program moving forward."

Members of the GOP Doctors Caucus call on the Senate to make the fiscally responsible choice and support Senator Thune's companion bill to repeal the CLASS Act program for good. The GOP Doctors Caucus has helped lead the fight against Obamacare, a law which ensures government takeover of the nation's healthcare system.